Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-08
ROMANCE OF AN ADVENTURES. -
The Story of II Beautiful and Erratic Mis-
souri, Belle.

The Story of u Beautiful and ErratiC Mis-
souri, Belle.
St. Louis letters state that William Pres
ton Hill has been paid by the public adj
ministrator of New York large sum,
being his share of the proceeds of his
mothers estate. This is the elimination
of romance. There was born at st.
Charles, Mo-, in 1887, Joanna Behrens,
daughter of DR.. Behrens, wealthy and
prominent physician. The child develop
ed into girl of great beauty, was educa
ted in convent, and in 1856 was the belle
of the county. A gentleman who knew
her in those days said "She was born to
be the heroine of romance. Her face
was for years to me the standard by which
all female beauty was to be judged. | do
not know if | have ever seen more love
ly woman since. She was, think, slight
ly above the average height of women
about 5 feet inches high, should judge,
full and strong in every particular. Her
eyes were large, dark, and well shaded by
long lashes. She carried her head like
queen"
Britton A. Hill was at this time rising
young st. Louis lawyer, and is to-day a
leading citizen. He was fascinated by the
st. Charles belle, and married her. They
travelled in Europe for number of years,
and had a son but did not live harmoni-
Ously. The wife's beauty and intellect at
tracted the gallants of the gay European
capitals and the husbands position be-
came so embarrassing that separation
took place. She instituted proceedings
for divorce. He filed cross suit, charging
her with intimacy with Victor Emmanuel
and other notables. Dispositions were
taken in two continents, and the case be-
came All international scandal. Mr.. Hill
was granted his divorce
After the divorce was granted Mrs. Hill,
who had suffered in name and social posi-
ton left the city. She was lost sight Of
for several years, and then st. Louisians
who travelled in Europe brought back
strange stories OF the sensational pings
OF the beautiful and dashing American
widow. At one time she was in Rome,
then in Geneva. Then in Paris and Ber-
lin and in many of the European CAPT.
tails. She cut something of figure in
politics in both France and Italy. Mr..
Louis Hanson, wealthy New York tail.
or, advertised for housekeeper, and Mrs
Hill, under the name and In the guise OF
widow, got the situation. She married
Hanson III less than week, and in less
than n week afterward trouble began
They also went abroad, where Hanson got
some startling information concerning his
wife. When they returned divorce pro
ceedings were begun, and after some liti
CATION they agreed to separate.
Final papers were to be signed on July
| 4, 1885. On the day before Mrs. Hanson
sent for her husband and asked him t.
take her out of the city to avoid the nois,
of the Fourth. They went to Storm Kins
Mountain. They were alone. Two pis
tol shots were heard, and people coming
up found Hanson dead with bulle
through his head. She said he shot a
her and then committed suicide. She lief
the estate for the public administrator t,
look after and then started for Australia
She died on the way, and letters and pa
pers found in her baggage revealed he
identity. The clew was followed, and re
suited in putting the wealth in youn
| Hlll'S hands